LONG AND NATURAL

Classic: In stark contrast to all the men’s hairstyles of 2010, styles this year are generally longer and much less tidy. At the same time, certain realities, namely, working in an office, require you to maintain a pulled-together appearance. As David Beckham demonstrates, however, it is possible to wear long locks in a groomed way. His secret weapon is a great cut, so start by visiting a skilled barber. Tell him you’re growing your hair out and that ultimately you’d like it to be in layers, with the longest pieces just below your ears. Once your locks start getting longer, part your hair down the middle and comb a minute amount of pomade through the front sections of your do to keep everything smooth.

Trendy: The secret to getting away with sporting hair as long as Christian Bale’s is that your mane should be in top shape. That means healthy and shiny rather than stringy and greasy. Use shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated to your hair type, and use only minimal amounts of styling products -- a little pomade can be applied, for instance, if you want to slick your hair back so that it stays off your face and out of your eyes. One word of caution: Unless you too are a movie star or at least a recluse of some kind, with hair this long, skip the bushy facial hair and opt for a clean shave.